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  • Chorus Aviation announces multi-aircraft leasing transaction with the Lion Air Group

    Delivering regional aviation to the world

    HALIFAX, Oct. 25, 2018 /CNW/ – Chorus Aviation Inc. (‘Chorus’) (TSX: CHR) announced today an agreement to lease four new ATR72-600’s to the Lion Air Group.

    The first of these aircraft is scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2018, with the remaining three scheduled for delivery in the first and second quarters of 2019. It is anticipated that the aircraft will be operated by members of the Lion Air Group in Indonesia and Malaysia.

    This transaction marks the second multi-aircraft leasing transaction in the fast-growing Southeast Asia region, expanding Chorus’ leasing business to 12 lessees in 12 countries and a total of 78 aircraft.

    “We are very pleased to add Lion Air to our portfolio, expanding our global network of customers in line with Chorus’ vision to deliver regional aviation to the world,” said Steve Ridolfi, President, Chorus Aviation Capital.  “We are proud to have earned the trust of exceptional customers and continue to evaluate multiple opportunities as we expand our leasing business.”

    Edward Sirait, Chief Executive Officer, Lion Air Group said, “We are delighted to start this new relationship with Chorus, as a lessor.”

    Upon completing the transaction contemplated by this announcement, Chorus Aviation Capital’s customers will comprise: Aeromexico Connect; Air Nostrum; Azul Airlines; CityJet; Ethiopian Airlines; Flybe; Falcon Aviation Services; KLM Cityhopper; Lion Air Group; Philippine Airlines; Virgin Australia; and its Chorus affiliate, Jazz Aviation.

  • Jazz Further Supports Seneca with Flight Instructor Bursary Program

    HALIFAX, Oct., 24, 2018 /CNW/ – Jazz Aviation LP (“Jazz”) is pleased to announce a further commitment to Canada’s future professional pilots with an enhanced agreement between the airline’s Jazz Aviation Pathway Program (“Jazz APP”) and Seneca’s School of Aviation (“Seneca”). The enhanced agreement includes the introduction of a flight instructor bursary, a commitment from Jazz to contribute up to $16,000 annually to assist Seneca graduates in becoming flight instructors.

    “We are happy to further encourage and support Seneca graduates in their pursuit of becoming flight instructors,” said Steven Linthwaite, Vice President, Flight Operations, Jazz. “We are committed to cultivating a strong future for the pilot profession and by creating this bursary program, we are building on our strong relationship with Seneca to better support the industry and the ever-growing need for flight instructors.”

    As a part of this enhanced agreement, Jazz will offer a bursary of up to $4,000 annually to a maximum of four third-year Honours Bachelor of Aviation Technology students who have been identified by Seneca as candidates to become Flight Instructors at the institution following graduation.

    “This bursary opportunity from Jazz will encourage and enable more Seneca Aviation graduates to become Flight Instructors,” explained Lynne McMullen, Director of Business Development, Seneca School of Aviation. “We are grateful for our continued partnership with Jazz and the attractive and valuable career opportunities this longstanding relationship provides both our students and instructors.”

    The new flight instructor bursary builds upon the existing Flight Instructor pathway agreement between Jazz and Seneca, introduced in 2016. The pathway provides Seneca’s top-flight instructors with an opportunity for employment as a professional pilot with Jazz.

    For the past 11 years, Jazz has been actively involved in shaping the curriculum and training of Canada’s future professional pilots through active engagement with aviation colleges and universities. In 2015, Jazz rebranded these efforts under the Jazz Aviation Pathway Program banner. To date, Jazz has announced agreements between the Jazz APP and the following 18 institutions and organizations:

    Aviation Colleges, Flight Schools, and Universities:
    Algonquin College
    Brampton Flight Centre
    Centre québécois de formation aéronautique at Cégep de Chicoutimi
    Collège Air Richelieu
    Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
    Confederation College
    Mount Royal University
    Okanagan College
    Ottawa Aviation Services
    Sault College
    Seneca College
    University of Waterloo
    University of Western Ontario

    Industry Organization Agreements exist with:
    Air Cadet League of Canada
    Air Canada
    Bearskin Airlines
    Keewatin Air LP
    Wasaya Airways

    For more information, visit www.flyjazz.ca/pathwaysprogram

  • Bombardier sues Mitsubishi jet program over alleged theft of trade secrets

    NATHAN LAYNE | REUTERS | 

    Bombardier is suing Mitsubishi Aircraft in the United States over alleged trade secret misappropriation.

    The Quebec aerospace company alleges some of its own former employees passed on documents containing trade secrets to Mitsubishi before going to work for the company.

    The 92-page legal complaint filed in a Seattle court on Friday also targets Aerospace Testing Engineering & Certification (AeroTEC), which supports the Japanese multinational in the development of its MRJ airline, as well as several ex-Bombardier employees.

    None of the allegations contained in the court documents have been proven in court.

    A Mitsubishi spokesman says the allegations are unfounded and the company says it will prove so in court.

    AeroTEC did not respond to a request for comment on Sunday.

    Bombardier alleges Mitsubishi Aircraft and AeroTEC recruited no less than 92 of its former employees from both Canada and the United States.

    The former workers named in the lawsuit allegedly forwarded documents regarding the certification process to Transport Canada and its American counterpart, the Federal Aviation Administration.

    “The process is incredibly costly, time-consuming, and complex – even for the most experienced of aircraft manufacturers who have gone through that process and developed trade secrets to face it more efficiently,” the document reads.

    This process is essential to the process of ensuring newly developed planes are given permission to fly.

    Bombardier recently went through the process during the development of the C Series program, which was plagued by delays and cost overruns. The aircraft was later rebranded A220 after Airbus took a majority stake in the program.

    “Bombardier has spent about a decade and several billion dollars bringing the C Series from concept to realization and this is not abnormal for an airplane that has been imagined from the drawing board,” the court documents state.

    Bombardier alleges that Mitsubishi specifically recruited employees who had experience with the certification process and broke the law when it used confidential documents obtained from these employees in order to accelerate the timelines for its own MRJ airline.

    The MRJ, which can transport up to 90 passengers, is scheduled to enter service in 2020, much later than the original 2013 date.

    In one case cited in the court documents, one of Bombardier’s ex-workers allegedly used a personal Yahoo e-mail to transfer “very sensitive” and “secret” information concerning the Global 7000 and 8000 programs as well as exchanges with Transport Canada on device certification. Other similar exchanges allegedly occurred through private accounts, this time through Gmail.

    “We don’t take this issue lightly,” Bombardier spokesman Simon Letendre told The Canadian Press in an e-mail. “Bombardier intends to take all necessary measures to protect its intellectual property.”

    Bombardier is seeking unspecified financial damages as well as an injunction barring Mitsubishi Aircraft and AeroTEC from using confidential information allegedly obtained from ex-employees.

    The Quebec aircraft manufacturer is also asking Mitsubishi and its partner to stop recruiting within its workforce to get access to privileged information.

  • Chorus subsidiary Jazz wins two silvers at Canada’s Safest Employers awards

    HALIFAX, Oct. 19, 2018 /CNW/ – Chorus Aviation Inc. (‘Chorus’) (TSX: CHR) is proud to announce that its subsidiary, Jazz Aviation LP (‘Jazz’), was named among Canada’s Safest Employers 2018 taking silver in the Transportation category and silver for Psychological Safety. Canada’s Safest Employers awards were announced at a gala event in Toronto, Ont. last evening.

    “Jazz’s success is built upon a foundation of prioritizing safety at every level,” said Colin Copp, President, Jazz. “Together, we strive for a strong culture of safety excellence at Jazz. This includes both the traditional safety elements associated with our airline operations, and ensuring the psychological safety of our employees.”

    Jazz’s safety culture is top of mind every day. Jazz is successful due to its employees taking ownership of safety, without compromise. The dedicated local Workplace Committees advance safety for all Jazz employees, and healthy and robust safety reporting exists across the organization. Jazz’s dynamic internal audit program works by identifying risks, process enhancement opportunities, and procedural changes – all with the goal of constantly striving to further advance safety.

    To support the psychological safety of its employees, Jazz prioritizes mental health and well-being. Jazz demonstrates this through offering an Employee Assistance Program to all employees, participating in the mental health initiatives, such as the ‘Not Myself Today’ campaign, and by promoting a healthy work-life balance.

    Launched in 2011, Canada’s Safest Employers awards recognize companies from across Canadawith outstanding accomplishments in promoting the health and safety of their employees. Companies are evaluated on a wide range of occupational safety and health (‘OSH’) elements, including employee training, OSH management systems, incident investigation, emergency preparedness and innovative health and safety initiatives.

  • Delta Air Lines A220 takes to the skies for its first flight

    • Delta will be first U.S. operator to benefit from new-generation aircraft’s unbeatable efficiency
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    Photo: Kurt Hofmann

    MIRABEL, QC, Oct. 6, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ – Delta Air Lines’ first A220-100 took off on its first flight from Mirabel airport, Québec, at 2:02 p.m. local time. The aircraft was crewed by A220 programme test pilots. During successful 3-hour flight, the crew checked the aircraft’s main systems and landed back in Mirabel at 4:57 p.m.

    The flight took place a few days after the aircraft rolled out of the paint shop. Next, the aircraft will continue with pre-delivery testing and assembly, as elements of its state-of-the-art interior come together at the A220 assembly line. Delta’s first A220 is scheduled to begin service in early 2019.

    Delta Air Lines will be the first U.S. airline to operate the A220 – at the same time becoming the fourth A220 operator, after Swiss International Air Lines, airBaltic, and Korean Air. Delta is the largest A220-100 customer, with a firm order for 75 aircraft.

    The A220-100 delivers unbeatable fuel efficiency.  It brings together state-of-the-art aerodynamics, advanced materials and Pratt & Whitney’s latest-generation PW1500G geared turbofan engines to offer at least 20 percent lower fuel burn per seat compared to previous generation aircraft.

    With an order book of over 400 aircraft to date, the A220 has all the credentials to win the lion’s share of the 100- to 150-seat aircraft market, estimated to represent at least 7,000 aircraft over the next 20 years.

     

    MIRABEL, QC, Oct. 6, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ – Delta Air Lines’ first A220-100 took off on its first flight from Mirabel airport, Québec, at 2:02 p.m. local time. The aircraft was crewed by A220 programme test pilots. During successful 3-hour flight, the crew checked the aircraft’s main systems and landed back in Mirabel at 4:57 p.m.

    The flight took place a few days after the aircraft rolled out of the paint shop. Next, the aircraft will continue with pre-delivery testing and assembly, as elements of its state-of-the-art interior come together at the A220 assembly line. Delta’s first A220 is scheduled to begin service in early 2019.

    Delta Air Lines will be the first U.S. airline to operate the A220 – at the same time becoming the fourth A220 operator, after Swiss International Air Lines, airBaltic, and Korean Air. Delta is the largest A220-100 customer, with a firm order for 75 aircraft.

    The A220-100 delivers unbeatable fuel efficiency.  It brings together state-of-the-art aerodynamics, advanced materials and Pratt & Whitney’s latest-generation PW1500G geared turbofan engines to offer at least 20 percent lower fuel burn per seat compared to previous generation aircraft.

    With an order book of over 400 aircraft to date, the A220 has all the credentials to win the lion’s share of the 100- to 150-seat aircraft market, estimated to represent at least 7,000 aircraft over the next 20 years.

  • Bombardier Doubles its Customer Services Capabilities in Florida with New Service Center in Miami-Dade County for U.S. and Latin American Customers

    October 3, 2018 Miami Business Aircraft,  Press Release

    Bombardier Service Centre in Miami

    • Facility will be located at the Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport in Miami-Dade County, an important business aircraft hub in the region
    • New service center will be operational by 2020 and will nearly double Bombardier’s customer experience team in Florida once fully ramped up
    • Bombardier will keep a line maintenance station in Fort Lauderdale
    • New service center will feature an expert team of highly-trained customer experience specialists and technicians

    Miami, October 3, 2018 – Bombardier is pleased to announce another wave of growth for its award-winning service network as it increases its customer service capabilities in the U.S. with a new service center at the Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport (OPF) in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The new service center will more than double the company’s current customer service footprint in Florida with new capabilities, including a paint facility for the center’s vast customer base spanning the U.S. and Latin America.

    “By doubling our capacity to support more aircraft, and adding new capabilities, our customers will benefit from the peace of mind that comes from our OEM expertise and from reduced aircraft downtime,” said Jean-Christophe Gallagher, Vice President and General Manager, Customer Experience. “Thanks to our long-term relationship with the state of Florida, we are thrilled to open our new facility at the Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport (OPF), where many of our operators are already based.”

    Planned for inauguration in 2020, the new service center in Miami will be fully equipped to perform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, aircraft modifications, avionics installations, and aircraft on ground support (AOG) for Bombardier Learjet, Challenger and Global aircraft. Once the facility is fully ramped up, the new service center will nearly double Bombardier’s employment in Florida to close to 300 employees.

    Located in Miami-Dade County, the Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport (OPF) is the largest of the County’s general aviation airports. Bombardier’s approximately $100-million investment for its new service center will bring significant benefits to Miami-Dade County, including the development of a comprehensive aerospace cluster and the establishment of talent development partnerships with local colleges.

    “Miami-Dade County is proud to be a key player in Bombardier’s grassroots development of the aerospace industry in our region,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez. “This new facility will employ nearly 300 of our residents in high-paying jobs averaging $70,000 annually, while also forging workplace partnerships with our local schools for continuing career opportunities,” Mayor of Miami-Dade County Carlos A. Giménez.”

    The state-of-the-art facility of approximately 300,000 sq. ft. will become part of Bombardier’s network of exceptional service center facilities and Mobile Response Team (MRT) mobile units around the world, ready to respond to the maintenance needs of operators. Following the inauguration of the Miami-Dade County facility, Bombardier will continue to support customers in the city of Fort Lauderdale, FL with a line maintenance station.

    Bombardier is currently hiring additional maintenance technicians across its entire service network to support its recent expansions. Technicians will receive Bombardier’s Type Training Course for Mechanical and Avionics certification to provide maintenance services at all Bombardier’s nine service centers worldwide, including Biggin Hill Service Center in London; Singapore, SG; Dallas, TX; Hartford, CT, Tucson, AZ and Wichita, KS.

    Bombardier Business Aircraft’s Service Center Network currently has openings for a variety of technical and professional roles. For more information and to submit your application, visit careers.bombardier.com.

  • Jazz Aviation honoured with Employment Equity Achievement Award for second year

    HALIFAX, Oct. 4, 2018 /CNW/ – Chorus Aviation Inc. (‘Chorus’) (TSX: CHR) announced today that its subsidiary Jazz Aviation LP (“Jazz”) is the recipient of a Sector Distinction Award for outstanding achievement in employment equity in the workplace for a second year in a row. The award was received from Employment and Social Development Canada at the Employment Equity Achievements Awards event in Ottawa on October 3, 2018.

    “We are very proud to be recognized with this award for a second consecutive year,” said Colin Copp, President, Jazz. “Employment equity is a top priority at Jazz, as demonstrated through our many efforts to foster diversity in the workplace. Examples include our ongoing recruitment efforts with post-secondary institutions and indigenous communities, our participation in Chorus for Women, an initiative designed to encourage females to consider careers in aviation and to provide development and networking opportunities for Jazz employees, and the organizing and hosting of Creating Inclusive Skies, an annual Diversity in Aviation conference.”

    The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour presented recipients with the Employment Equity Achievement Awards. The Sector Distinction Awards recognize employers that are inspirational role models in their sector, demonstrate a strong commitment and have achieved success in implementing employment equity in their own organization, and champion employment equity in the sector.

  • Global 7500 Aircraft, Industry’s Longest Range Business Jet, Awarded Transport Canada Type Certification

    September 28, 2018 Montréal – Business Aircraft, Bombardier Inc., Press Release

    • Certification paves the way for entry-into-service this year
    • Five flight test vehicles have accumulated more than 2,700 flight test hours following a comprehensive, efficient and rigorous testing program
    • In addition to its unsurpassed range of 7,700 nautical miles, the Global 7500 aircraft has exceeded takeoff and landing performance commitments
    • The Global 7500 aircraft is the largest and longest range business jet ever built, with the industry’s best-appointed, full-size kitchen, four distinct living spaces and an exceptionally smooth ride

    Bombardier Business Aircraft announced today that its flagship Global 7500 aircraft, the largest, most luxurious and longest range business jet ever built, has been awarded Transport Canada Type Certification, paving the way for entry-into-service this year. Certification by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is expected to follow shortly.

    “The certification of our clean-sheet Global 7500 business jet is a defining moment for Bombardier, for our employees and for the industry, as we approach entry-into-service,” said David Coleal, President, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “Thanks to the rigour and innovation of our design and test program, the Global 7500 aircraft has succeeded in elevating every standard by which a business jet is measured – comfort, luxury, performance and a smooth ride. At entry-into-service, this aircraft will meet the latest and all of the most stringent certification requirements and is set to redefine international business jet travel. We couldn’t be more proud of this achievement.”

    “Canadian aerospace products have a well-deserved global reputation for quality, value and reliability. The certification of the Bombardier Global 7500 aircraft is a significant accomplishment that will create good quality jobs for Canadians and support the continued growth of the local and regional economies where these aircraft are built,” said the Honourable Marc Garneau, Canada’s Minister of Transport.

    The Global 7500 aircraft has accumulated more than 2,700 flight hours since the flight testing program began in November 2016.

    “The performance and functionality of this class-defining aircraft is a testament to the unique expertise and dedication of our highly skilled product development team,” said François Caza, Vice President, Product Development and Chief Engineer, Product Development Engineering, Aerospace, Bombardier Inc. “During the certification process the team successfully validated all customer and regulatory requirements to yield a highly integrated, state-of-the-art aircraft with the highest level of safety that meets or exceeds the needs of our clients.”

    “Thanks to Bombardier’s latest advancements in airframe and wing design, the Global 7500 aircraft exceeded its original takeoff and landing performance commitments, leading to a new published takeoff distance of 5,800 feet,” said Michel Ouellette, Senior Vice President, Global 7500 and Global 8000 Program, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “This improved takeoff performance distance is almost 500 feet shorter than the closest – and smaller – competitor aircraft, and enables the Global 7500 business jet to operate out of airports with shorter runways — all while offering Bombardier’s signature smooth ride.”

    The Global 7500 aircraft boasts an unmatched range of 7,700 nautical miles, a full 300 nautical miles further than initial commitments, and it is the only business aircraft that can connect New York to Hong Kong, and Singapore to San Francisco, nonstop.*

    With its four true living spaces, the Global 7500 aircraft is unique among business jets in spaciousness, luxurious comfort and design flexibility. Its leading-edge cabin entertainment system, coupled with ultra-fast connection speeds via Ka-band, allows passengers to stream high-definition content and enjoy an exceptional entertainment experience. Another breakthrough innovation on the Global 7500 jet is the revolutionary nice Touch cabin management system (CMS). The nice Touch CMS introduces a new way to connect with the Global 7500 aircraft cabin through the Bombardier Touch dial, featuring business aviation’s first application of an OLED display.

    The Global 7500 aircraft also features the patented Nuage seat, exclusive to the new Global aircraft family and meticulously designed for maximum comfort. Finally, the modern and multi-functional kitchen on the Global 7500 business jet features unprecedented storage space and offers an exceptional dining experience.

    Setting the benchmark for the most exceptional business jet experience, these state-of-the-art features and the aircraft’s sophisticated styling contributed to the Global 7500 jet receiving a 2018 Red Dot Award for Product Design, one of the most sought-after honours for design and innovation excellence worldwide.

  • Jazz Technical Services awarded airBaltic maintenance contract

    Delivering regional aviation to the world

    ChorusLogo100HALIFAX, Sept. 26, 2018 /CNW/ – Chorus Aviation Inc. (‘Chorus’) (TSX: CHR) announced today that its subsidiary, Jazz Aviation LP (‘Jazz’), has been awarded a contract for heavy maintenance work for airBaltic of Latvia. Under the terms of the agreement, Jazz Technical Services (‘JTS’), a division of Jazz dedicated to maintenance, repair and overhaul (‘MRO’) work, will provide airframe maintenance in support of airBaltic’s 12 Q400 NextGen aircraft.

    “We are very pleased to have been awarded this contract as we continue to focus on growth in our MRO business and are enthused to be expanding our customer base internationally with the addition of airBaltic,” said Colin Copp, President, Jazz Aviation. “Our JTS division provides industry-leading turn times, a premium level of service and maintenance expertise which is well known and respected throughout the industry.”

    Andris Vaivads, SVP Technical Operations of airBaltic said, “We are excited to enter this partnership as we value Jazz Aviation highly for their experience in cold weather, which is characteristic to our home markets of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania. We rely on short turnaround times as it allows us to offer in many cases the fastest and most convenient transfers via our main hub in Riga spanning our network of Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, CIS and the Middle East.”

    Jazz Technical Services will perform the work for airBaltic from its six bay, 80,000 square foot facility at Halifax Stanfield International Airport, where over 400 maintenance professionals are employed supporting contracts for Canadian, U.S. and international customers.

    Jazz’s Maintenance division has received Bombardier Airline Reliability Performance Awards for five consecutive years and was the North American recipient of Bombardier’s 2017 Airline Reliability Performance Awards in two categories: CRJ100/200 aircraft programs for North America; CRJ700/900/1000 aircraft programs for North America. Jazz was previously honoured with top performance in the North American region for the Q400, CRJ100/200, and CRJ700/900/1000 aircraft program categories in 2016 and 2015; the Q100/200/300, CRJ100/200, and CRJ700/900/1000 aircraft programs in 2014; and the Q400 and CRJ100/200 aircraft programs in 2013.

  • Jazz maintenance division receives Embraer certification

    Delivering regional aviation to the world

    ChorusLogo100HALIFAX, Sept. 25, 2018 /CNW/ – Chorus Aviation Inc. (‘Chorus’) (TSX: CHR) announces that its subsidiary, Jazz Aviation LP (‘Jazz’), has received Transport Canada certification for Jazz Technical Services (‘JTS’) to perform airframe heavy maintenance on Embraer 135 and Embraer 145 regional aircraft. JTS is a division of Jazz dedicated to maintenance, repair and overhaul (‘MRO’).

    “Acquiring Embraer certification is an important next step in the evolution of our maintenance division and is in line with our plans for continued growth and the ability to provide a broader range of maintenance services,” said Colin Copp, President, Jazz Aviation.

    Jazz Technical Services is now certified to perform Embraer 135 and Embraer 145 work from its six-bay, 80,000 square foot heavy maintenance facility at Halifax Stanfield International Airport where over 400 maintenance professionals are employed supporting contracts for Canadian, U.S. and international customers.